Almost every teenager and adolescent have a mental illness. According to experts, One in five teenagers has increased Mental disorders significantly such as anxiety disorder or depression in recent years.

Trauma, Borderline Personality Disorder, and schizophrenia are other teenage mental health problems. Psychological disorders in adolescents also include substance abuse, eating disorders, and eating disorders in teens. Social and emotional habits are developed during adolescence which is crucial to a person’s mental well-being. Healthy sleep habits, regular exercise, problem-solving and interpersonal skills, and emotional management are some of these. Families, schools, and the community should all provide a supportive and protective environment.

Common Mental Illness In Teens – According to the Experts

A physician uses specific criteria to determine whether a patient has a mental illness.

Major depressive disorder is usually diagnosed based on symptoms such as depressed mood or lack of interest in hobbies and recreational activities. Teenagers may experience changes in grades, a loss of interest in friends, or uncharacteristic irritability. When these symptoms occur, it is important to examine them further.

A diagnosis of this condition must also include five of the following seven symptoms:

• Changes in sleep
• Changes in energy level
• Changes in Motivation
• Thoughts of suicide
• New onset of guilt
• Changes in appetite
• Changes in concentration or performance

Many factors affect mental health. Adolescents who are exposed to more risk factors are at greater risk of mental health problems. Experimenting with identity, adversity, and peer pressure among others can contribute to stress during adolescence.

Adolescents’ lived realities can be drastically different from their perceptions or aspirations for the future because of media influence, gender norms, and their views of the future. Furthermore, the quality of their family lives and relationships with their peers play an important role. Many factors can affect a person’s mental health, including violence (particularly sexual violence and bullying), rough parenting, severe socioeconomic conditions, and harsh parenting.

Types of Mental Illness in Teen

Teenagers are most likely to suffer from the following mental illnesses:

1. Major Depression in Teens
2. Teen Anxiety
3. Eating Disorders
4. Suicide and self-harm
5. Teenage Schizophrenia

Major Depression in Teens

Teen depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the U.S. According to a new report, major depression diagnoses have increased by 33 percent since 2013. Millennials’ rates of mental illness are up by 47 percent, according to the latest statistics on teenage mental health. Additionally, boys have a 47 percent, and girls have a 65 percent higher rate of major depression.

It is common for teenagers to suffer from depression, a mood disorder.

Depression is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and decreased interest in previously enjoyed activities, rather than periodic low moods. Teenagers and adolescents today are particularly vulnerable to the following types of depression:

When adolescents suffer from bipolar disorder, they can experience periods of depression followed by periods of mania or hypomania. There is no known cure for bipolar disorder (except through psychotherapy and medication).

Teens and adolescents with dysthymia are considered to have persistent, low-grade depression. In some cases of dysthymia, individuals can also suffer from depression/mood disorders.

Adolescents or teenagers with an adjustment disorder may be diagnosed with depression if their symptoms persist for more than 6 months. Adjustment disorder with depressed mood is usually a brief condition.

Approximately 8% of youths and adolescents meet the diagnostic criteria for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Children who suffer from major depression tend to have difficulties at school, at home, and in the community.

Teen Anxiety

Nowadays, anxiety disorders tend to be the most common type of mental illness among adolescents. According to the World Health Organization, there is four percent of anxiety disorders among kids aged 10-14 and five percent among teens aged 15-19. Almost all people with anxiety disorders develop it before their 21st birthday.

There are many different types of anxiety disorders that affect daily living in addition to just feeling anxious. People with this disorder experience persistent, excessive worry or fear in situations that are not threatened. Symptoms of anxiety may include:

• A feeling of apprehension or worry all the time
• Irritability and restlessness
• A belief that the worst will happen
• Shortness of breath and racing heartbeat
• Irritable bowels and fatigue
• Insomnia or frequent sleeplessness
• Tension or feeling jumpy

Eating Disorders in Teens

Youth struggle with a variety of eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder. Death due to starvation, metabolic collapse, and suicide are the most common results of anorexia nervosa. Teenagers with anorexia are at extreme risk of death.

Due to this, teenage eating disorders cause severe physical and mental health problems. Most eating disorders are associated with other psychological problems.

It is less common for children to suffer from eating disorders, although the risk increases as they get older. Teenage males can also suffer from eating disorders, even though they are more common in females. An eating disorder can be extremely dangerous.

Teenage Schizophrenia

Teenage Schizophrenia is a chronic illness that affects a person’s entire life. 

The development of schizophrenia behaviors also begins in adolescence. Symptoms of schizophrenia often begin in people younger than 30 years of age, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Schizophrenic teens have trouble dealing with their feelings. They have difficulty staying grounded and aware of the world around them.

With schizophrenia, there are differences in brain structure, chemical composition, and the ability to process information. Due to this, psychological disorders such as schizophrenia make it difficult for people to learn and understand information. This makes it difficult for such people to control their conditions. Treatment for schizophrenia aims to give the patient a deeper understanding of the disease and motivate them to keep it under control.

Substance Use Disorder

Addiction is one of the mental disorders that affect teens. The use of drugs and alcohol by teens as a self-medicating method for anxiety, trauma, low self-esteem, depression, and other conditions is not uncommon.

Substance abuse is an unhealthy and dangerous way for teens to cope with their mental health problems. If it is sustained, addiction can develop. According to scientists, substance use disorders are more likely to occur if:

• Peer pressure
• Genetic predisposition
• Adoption of heavy drugs by society

Substance abuse disorders may take many forms, depending on the drug the individual chooses. Other mental health disorders can also exhibit similar symptoms to substance use disorders. Teens with substance use disorder are more likely to show the following symptoms:

• Rapid changes in behavior
• Taking on more drugs and alcohol
• Isolation from family or friends
• Taking on more risky behaviors, such as fighting, sex, or driving under the influence
• While not drunk or high, experiencing withdrawal symptoms
• Feel like they need a drug to function properly

Parents should be informed that substance abuse and mental health disorders like anxiety and depression are often co-occurring disorders. Such disorders are known as comorbid disorders. According to estimates, 17 million Americans will suffer from both a mental illness and a substance use disorder by 2020. Mental health disorders like depression increase the likelihood of developing substance use disorders by roughly twice.

Reasons Teens Develop Mental Health Issues

Mental health issues are very common during the adolescent and teenage years. Teens are more likely to suffer from mental health problems during this time because of hormonal changes and the development of their brains. People’s moods, behavior, and thoughts will also change when their nervous systems are changing so much.

Several mental health disorders are also genetically predisposed. It’s much more likely that a teenager who grows up in a household with a mental health issue will also have one.

Some research has also demonstrated the influence of environmental factors on teen mental health. People who have experienced trauma (such as near-death experiences), or who have suffered abuse (physical, sexual, emotional), may be more likely to suffer from mental health problems. Stress (perhaps associated with academic or social pressure, or bullying), is another factor that may contribute to an adolescent or teen experiencing mental health issues.

Tips For Helping Your Teen With Mental Health Problems

Find out why adolescents and teens struggle with mental health. Make sure you know what to look out for by understanding red flags and warning signs. Mental illness can have different signs and symptoms depending on each individual and their specific struggles. However, certain warning signs are consistent:

• Changes in sleeping/eating patterns
• Low energy
• Harms self or others
• Loses interest in activities previously enjoyed
• Social isolation
• Drop-in school performance
• Decreased self-esteem
• Excessive secrecy
• Alcohol or drug use
• Engagement in risky or destructive behavior
• Suicidal thoughts or feelings
• Experiencing physical ailments (e.g., stomachaches, headaches, etc.) that cannot be explained.

It can be difficult to detect mental illness, particularly if you’re not a trained mental health professional. The first step in recognizing whether or not your child needs more help is to be aware of the warning signs of mental illness.

It’s important to talk openly about mental illness. Mental health is typically associated with stigma. Being open and talking about mental illness is one part of breaking that stigma down. If you are concerned about your teen’s mental health, it is okay to bring up the subject. Don’t be afraid to ask questions straight forward. Don’t be afraid to interact with frankness and honesty. Having an open attitude towards your child may make him or her more willing to share.

The Causes of Teen Mental Health Disorders

Numerous theories have been proposed to explain why teen disorders are on the rise. Several of these factors may be at play among teenagers, they believe.

• Experts have found that Screen time has been associated with teen mental disorders. Technology can lead to an excessive amount of energy and time spent away from education, relationships, and extracurricular activities. The researchers concluded that adolescents in Generation IG have participated in fewer nonscreen activities and have engaged in more screen-based activities since 2010, which may explain the rise in depression and suicide.
• Furthermore, adolescents are highly susceptible to anxiety and stress from social media. Teenagers who compare their own lives unfavorably to those of those they follow on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook can develop depression.
• Academic pressure is also common among teens today. A poor economy and intense competition for jobs, graduate school, and school makes this situation even worse.
• Additionally, today’s teens don’t possess the coping skills they need. In addition to protecting them from disappointment and failure, families also discourage them from trying. Consequently, teens have lower chances of boosting their resilience. Consequently, they are not able to learn how to overcome challenges.
• They still have a developing brain. The prefrontal cortex, which controls self-regulation, is still developing in teens’ brains. Because of this, teens have difficulty controlling their impulses. Therefore, teens are more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as substance abuse and sexually unsafe behavior.
• Because teenagers spend so much time on screens, they don’t get enough exercise. The phrase nature-deficit disorder was coined by Richard Louv in his 2005 book Last Child in the Woods to describe such children. Behavioral and mental health problems are increasing among teens and children as they spend less time outside.

Treatment for Teen Mental Disorders

Treatment by mental health professionals can significantly improve mental health disorders in teens. Teenagers often do not receive the type of mental health treatment that they require. Teenagers with depression are denied treatment six out of ten times. Teenagers with anxiety are denied treatment eight out of ten times.

There are several different treatment options available to teens with mental disorders, including inpatient programs, outpatient programs, or partial hospitalization programs.